Operations the supply chain

The BBC has been told that it must be more transparent about its content acquisitions strategy after being accused by ITV of buying glossy U.S. shows to chase ratings. Ofcom , the UK’s media regulator, said the BBC must explain in its Annual Plan how buying content, as opposed to commissioning British originals, supports “distinctiveness” and engages different audiences. The BBC is funded by the British public to the tune of £3.8B ($4.7B), meaning it has an obligation to be distinct from commercial rivals like ITV and serve all audiences. Ofcom made the intervention as part of plans to update the BBC’s operating licence for a digital age from next month. A guiding principle of the changes is transparency, with Ofcom arguing that the BBC has not always provided proper “detail and clarity” on updates to its output and services. In a submission to Ofcom’s review, ITV said the BBC had “dramatically increased” its spend on acquired content over the past six years, … [Read more...] about BBC Must Explain Glossy U.S. Acquisitions After Being Accused By ITV Of Chasing Ratings

Oscar winner and Academy member Roger Ross Williams is saying publicly what many in the documentary community have stewed over privately – that the sums of money being spent on Oscar documentary campaigns has “gotten insane.” And Williams, a former Academy Governor representing the Doc Branch, says something may be done about it. “We in the Academy, in the Doc Branch, have a campaign finance reform committee… to sort of try to work through that and figure out solutions to that. It’s gotten insane. It’s gazillions of dollars to get seen and heard,” he said, “and that’s so troubling because it should be on the merit of the films.” His remarks, less than two weeks after the Academy Awards, came in a discussion with documentary programmer and Pure Nonfiction podcaster Thom Powers at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen. Powers asked the filmmaker about “the escalating attention that awards season sucks up in our industry,” and Williams didn’t hold back. “We know it’s awards, it’s the … [Read more...] about Oscar Winner Roger Ross Williams: Spending On Oscar Doc Campaigns Has “Gotten Insane” — CPH:DOX

Casey Bloys wants Kate Winslet to be venerated in the States. During a closing keynote session here in Lille, France at Series Mania, HBO and HBO Max Chairman and CEO Bloys told delegates he had recently visited London, where Winslet is filming the Stephen Frears, Will Tracy and Frank Rich series The Palace (WT). “If the U.S. could make her a national treasure I would like to do that,” he said, to laughs and applause in the room. “I think she’s great and the dailies I’ve seen of the show are fantastic.” In February, HBO released a first look of Mare of Easttown star Winslet in The Palace , which tells the story of one year within the walls of the palace of an authoritarian regime as it begins to unravel. Cast also includes Matthias Schoenaerts, Guillaume Gallienne, Andrea Riseborough, Martha Plimpton and Hugh Grant. RELATED: Deadline’s Full Coverage Of Series Mania 2023 Bloys delved deep into his slate, pointing to new seasons of House of the … [Read more...] about “I’d Make Kate Winslet A National Treasure”: HBO’s Casey Bloys Talks ‘The Palace’, Upcoming Slate & International Plans – Series Mania

Droughtlander is nearly over as Starz has set the premiere date for Outlander ‘s seventh season for Friday, June 16, at midnight ET via streaming and internationally on the Lionsgate+ premium streaming platform in the UK. For linear viewers, the show premieres on the same day, at 8 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S. New episodes will be released weekly Fridays. The extended 16-episode season will be split into two parts of eight episodes each, with the second half of the series inspired by Diana Gabaldon’s international bestsellers premiering in 2024. See the first-look photos above and below. Outlander was renewed for an eighth and final season in January, with the prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood , focusing on Jamie Fraser’s parents, also officially ordered to series. Returning favorites include Caitríona Balfe as Claire Fraser, Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, Sophie Skelton as Brianna MacKenzie, Richard Rankin as Roger MacKenzie, John Bell as Young Ian, David Berry … [Read more...] about ‘Outlander’ Sets Premiere Date For Two-Part Extended Season 7, Drops First-Look Photos

Giant theater chain Cineworld will convene a meeting of its shareholders on April 20 related to the Chapter 11 process currently underway in a Texas bankruptcy court. The meeting, which is in-person only, is required by UK securities law, Cineworld said today, “in circumstances where the value of the company’s net assets is less than half of its called up share capital” – officially constituting a “serious loss of capital.” The purpose — “allowing shareholders to consider whether any, and if so what, steps should be taken to deal with the situation.” That said, there isn’t much stockholders can actually do beyond “consider” as they’re set to be wiped out, something the company acknowledged, saying, “It is not expected that any plan of reorganisation or sale transaction would result in any recovery for Cineworld’s shareholders.” The Board “is calling the General Meeting to ensure that this matter is addressed as required by the Act. The Board welcomes dialogue with the … [Read more...] about Regal Parent Cineworld Plans UK Meeting Of Shareholders As Bankruptcy Proceeds In Texas

Premier Streaming Network is now the international streaming home for Major League Wrestling . Starting March 26, PSN will stream new episodes of MLW’s flagship series MLW Underground Wrestling every Sunday at 12 p.m. ET to their international audience five days after they air on Reelz in the U.S. The first six episodes of MLW Underground are available today for international Premier Plus subscribers and the agreement also includes Battle Riot V , MLW’s biggest event of the year. MLW Underground Wrestling represents a new era of wrestling for fans and features a mix of fighters including MLW World Champion Alex Hammerstone, “The Certified G” Real1, Women’s Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie, National Openweight Champion John Hennigan, Jacob Fatu and “The World’s Greatest Wonder” Microman. “Fans around the world will finally have a chance to join the MLW Underground, where MLW’s biggest fights take place,” said MLW COO and EVP, Wrestling Operations Jared St. … [Read more...] about MLW Underground Wrestling to Stream Internationally On Premier Streaming Network

Hundreds of WGA East members employed at Hearst Magazines Media staged a half-day walkout and rally today to demand a fair contract. The walkout at four of the company’s offices – in New York City, Easton, PA, Ann Arbor, MI, and Birmingham, AL – comes after more than two years of negotiations for a first-time contract. The last scheduled day of negotiations is March 28. According to the guild, they’re seeking “fair wage increases, better severance and strong anti-harassment protections,” among other demands. Watch some video of the walkout below. The guild represents some 500 of the publishing giant’s editorial, video, design and photo staff at more than 25 brands including Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Popular Mechanics, Car & Driver, Oprah Daily, Seventeen, Elle, Redbook and Woman’s Day . “We’re walking out today because more than two years is too long to wait for a fair union contract,” said Joey Capparella, … [Read more...] about Hundreds Of WGA East Members Stage Walkout At Hearst Magazines Media: “So Many Of Us Pour Our Heart And Soul Into These Brands”

TMZ.com Terence Crawford 's Nebraska home was allegedly burglarized, TMZ Sports has learned ... and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry stolen, including two luxury watches worth over 100 grand apiece. The alleged theft occurred at the undefeated boxer's home in Omaha between March 17 and March 20, according to a Douglas County Sheriff's Office incident report. Per the report, the unknown suspect(s) broke into his home and stole several pieces of jewelry. The haul included two gold chains featuring the logo "TBC" -- Crawford's initials -- a "Bud" personalized gold chain, and a gold cross necklace. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Two incredibly expensive watches were also reported stolen -- a diamond Patek Philippe watch and an Audemars Piguet and bracelet set. All told, the pieces totaled over $317K ... and Crawford is asking for the public's help, even offering a hefty reward. “ I got 100k for whoever … [Read more...] about Terence Crawford’s Nebraska Home Burglarized, $317K Worth Of Jewelry Stolen